Magnetic holder for paper cups



Nov. 20, 1956 H. CAREW MAGNETIC HOLDER FOR PAPER CUPS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 16, 1952 -rman Caren Nov. 20, 1956 H. CAREW 2,770,958

MAGNETIC HOLDER FOR PAPER CUPS Filed July l6,' 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1Z7 van far Hermn (are 10'- WWW am W United States Patent MAGNETIC HOLDER FOR PAPER CUPS Herman Carew, Easton, Pa., assignor to Dixie Cup Company, Easton, Pa., a corporation of Delaware Application July 16, 1952, Serial No. 299,207

9 Claims. (Cl. 65-61) This invention relates to improvements in a magnetic holder for paper cups, and more particularly to a holder for paper vessels from which food or drink may be consumed, such as paper drinking cups, soda cups, sundae dishes, and the like, the holder retaining a vessel of such character therein by way of magnetic attraction, although the invention may have other uses and purposes as will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

In the past, various forms of holders, and particularly various forms of cup holders for cups or dishes made of paper or other suflficiently economical material to warrant one or a very few uses of the vessel before it is discarded, have been developed. These devices were commonly held inverted by an attendant in a food or soft drink dispensing place, and the inverted holder was pressed over the terminal cup on a stack of nested inverted cups or dishes. Some form of cup gripping or engaging means was embodied in the holder, so that this terminal cup would automatically be picked up by the holder, without being contacted by the human hands. The cup was so held in the holder against accidental dislodgement before and during use, but the engagement of the holder with the cup was not so strong that the cup could not intentionally be jerked loose from the holder when discarded.

With these formerly known holders, sometimes the cup gripping means, which were mechanical in character, became bent, shifted in position, or otherwise injured, so that they would not etfectively retain a cup. In many cases, especially in regard to sundae dishes, a simple spring finger in the side of the holder body was employed which would not effectively retain a dish in position during the manipulation of a spoon against the dish during the consuming of its contents. In other cases, especially where the gripping means were of a rubber-like nature, quite frequently they were not as effective when wet as when dry. In all cases, there were distinct variances in the amount of grip a holder would exert upon a cup, even though the holder was in perfect condition. Some cups were held too feebly, While other cups were held so tightly and strongly as to irritate the operator when an endeavor was made to free the cup and discard it. In no instance of which I am aware has any so-called pickup holder been developed wherein the actual amount of grip upon a cup could be maintained uniform regardless of how or by whom the holder was manipulated. In no instance of which I am aware was there ever a holder and cup of paper or other temporary non-magnetic material retained in operative association by a magnetic attraction.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an important object of this invention to provide a cup holder for a paper cup, equipped with means to retain the paper cup therein against accidental dislodgement by a consistently uniform holding action upon the cup, regardless of how many times the holder may be utilized, regardless of who may utilize it, and regardless of the pressure used in engaging the cup and holder initially.

Also an object of this invention is the provision of a ice . holder for paper cups, paper dishes, and the like, whereholder which may be made in a series of sizes and shapes to accommodate almost any size and shape of temporary vessel of paper or some other economical material, and all holders will be uniform in operation and uniform as to the particular retaining means employed therein.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of a holder for a paper vessel which retains the vessel against accidental dislodgement by way of magnetic attraction.

A further feature of the instant invention resides in the provision of a holder for a temporary paper vessel, which holder incorporates magnetic means judiciously disposed to be located within attraction range of magnetic means carried by the paper vessel, when the vessel is seated in the holder.

Still another desideratum of this invention is the provision of a holder for a paper vessel, which holder may easily be molded or cast in a single piece, and in which a permanent magnet may readily be mounted to always be within attraction range of a vessel carrying magnetic means when the vessel is seated in the holder.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a holder for a temporary paper vessel, which holder has a cavity to receive the paper vessel bottom end first, and magnetic means form at least a portion of the bot tom of such a cavity for attractive association with magnetic means carried adjacent the bottom of the vessel.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a tubular holder for a paper vessel, wherein magnetic means are built into the holder, and a passage remains entirely through the holder to facilitate the adequate cleansing of the holder when necessary.

The invention also contemplates the novel combination of a holder equipped with magnetic means, a cup of paper or the like carrying magnetic means, one of the means being capable of attracting the other to retain the cup in the holder.

Still a further feature of the invention resides in the.

provision of the combination of a holder for a temporary paper cup or the like, wherein the holder is provided with a magnet, and the paper cup carries magnetic means thereon in position to be within the attractive range of the magnet when the cup is in the holder.

While some of the more salient features, characteristics and advantages of the instant invention have been above pointed out, others will become apparent from the following disclosures, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a view of a holder with a cup seated therein, the holder being shown in central vertical section, and the cup being shown in side elevation, both the holder and the combination embodying principles of the instant invention;

Figure 2 is a reduced bottom plan view of the cup alone;

Figure 3 is a plan sectional view through the holder, taken substantially as indicated by the line III-III of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, and with the cup removed;

Figure 4 is a combination view of a holder of different shape, with a cup of different shape seated therein, the holder being shown in vertical section, and the cup being shown partially in section and partially in side elevation;

Figure 5 is a reduced bottom plan view of the cup only of Fig. 4;

Figure 6 is a plan sectional view of the holder of 3 Fig. 4 only, taken substantially as indicated by the line VI-VI of Fig. 4;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a holder and cup of still different shape, the cup being shown partially in side elevation; and

Figure 8 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the cup seen in Fig. 7. i

As shown on the drawings:

Herein, and in the appended claims, the form of vessel will be referred to as a paper cup for convenience and clarity, but it is to be understood that where the term paper cup is used, the same is to be construed as including soda cups, drinking cups, sundae dishes, potato salad dishes, fruit salad dishes, and the like. It should also be noted that while the vessel is referred to as paper, some other economical material might also be used, and therefore the term paper is to be considered as substantially inclusive of any material sufficiently economical to warrant discarding after one or a very few uses. Several different forms of the invention have been herein illustrated to indicate that the invention includes holders of various and different shapes and sizes, as well as the variously shaped and sized cups to fit the particular holders.

With reference first to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a holder for a conical paper soda cup is illustrated. This holder includes a hollow body portion 1 having a cup receiving cavity 2 therein. The inside wall of the cavity may intimately fit the outside wall of the cup throughout, or there may be points of separation between the holder wall and the cup at different locations, since it is only essential for the stability that the cup contact the holder in the mouth region thereof and also where the retaining means are located. The holder is also provided with a base portion 3 which may be integral with or initially separate from the body portion 1, and the base portion and body portion are connected by a part of less diameter which may be termed a throat 4. In this illustrated instance, both the throat and base portions are also tubular.

The holder may be made of one or more pieces of material, and can be satisfactorily cast or molded from either thermosetting plastic or a metal, in the form illustrated. As seen best in Fig. 1, the cavity 2 terminates at the lower portion inside the throat 4 with substantially a vertical wall as indicated at 5, and underneath this wall the base portion extends inwardly to provide an annular shoulder as shown at 6.

In the region defined by the vertical wall 5 in the annular shoulder 6, a permanent magnet 7 may be mounted and held secured by a suitable adhesive or by any other satisfactory means. The magnet 7, of course, is preferably of the type that retains its magnetic properties throughout a considerable length of time, and may satisfactorily be made of an alloy including iron, aluminum, nickel, and cobalt. Thus, the permanent magnet will last throughout the usual life of the holder. This magnet 7, as well as the magnets later described herein, may have either the north or south pole at the top and either the south or north pole, respectively, at the bottom.

With reference more particularly to Figs. 1 and 3, it will be noted that the magnet is provided with a central aperture 8 therethrough so that there is a continuous open passage throughout the entire holder, which will satisfy sanitary requirements in many locations. It will also be noted that the upper part of the magnet is countersunk or recessed in keeping with the shape of the apical end of a cup, so that the upper portion of the magnet in effect forms a continuation of the wall of the cavity 2. This countersinking or recessing 9 will not detract from the power of the magnet, and will insure a tight and proper engagement with the cup.

The cup itself, designated 10, may be made in substantially any desirable fashion, and cups of this character are usually rolled from a single blank of material.

4 The apical end of the cup is provided with some magnetic means. This may be accomplished in numerous ways, and by way of illustration only and not by way of limitation, I have illustrated a grouping of ferromagnetic particles held in a suitable form of binder. The binder may be a thermoplastic or thermosetting plastic medium, an adhesive, or any other satisfactory substance. That substance may be in a somewhat liquid state with the ferromagnetic particles therein, and the apical portion of the cup dipped and then permitted to dry, or the binding with the ferromagnetic particles may be made in the nature of a ribbon or tape, and a section thereof secured to the apical region of the cup.

Preferably the magnetic means, of whatever character it may be, is carried on the external surface of the cup so that there is at least one, and in most cases several thicknesses of non-magnetic material behind the magnetic means. Therefore, when the cups are in stacked nested relationship, the application of a holder to the terminal cup will not result in the withdrawal of more than that terminal cup by virtue of the magnetic attraction through several cups. Of course the binder may be of such character, and preferably is, that a layer of binder devoid of ferromagnetic particles will be adjacent the cup and between the cup and the ferromagnetic particles, thus further eliminating the possibility of the magnet withdrawing more than one cup at a time from a stack of cups.

In operation, the holder performs in the same general manner as pickup holders used heretofore. An attendant grasps the holder by the base 3, carries it in an inverted position, and seats it over the terminal or uppermost cup of a stack of nested inverted cups. The attraction of the magnet 7 on the magnetic means 11 carried by the cup will properly seat the cup in the holder, and retain it therein against accidental dislodgement. It will be especially noted that regardless of how much pressure is used by the attendant, or regardless of what attendant may use the holder, the holder will exert the same retentive force on a cup each and every time it is used, and that retentive force will be consistently uniform throughout the life of the holder. Thus, all cups will be engaged exactly alike and to the same degree by a holder. It will also be noted that there is nothing in the holder to become out of order, since there are no moving parts and yet the holder exerts a positive gripping action upon the cup.

In Figs. 4, 5 and 6, I have illustrated a holder associated with 'a cup which may more accurately be termed a sundae dish. This cup is a much wider angled cup than the commonly known drinking cup, so as to permit the more facile use of a spoon. In this instance, the holder includes a hollow body portion 12, a base portion 13, and the throat 14, both the base and the throat also being hollow with a passage therethrough. The body portion has a cup receiving cavity 15 therein, and a permanent magnet 16 is mounted in the throat of a holder in the same manner as above described in connection with Fig. 1. In this instance also, the magnet is countersunk or recessed in its upper face as at 17 in keeping with the shape of the apical portion of the cup and forming in effect a continuation of the wall of the cavity 15. The magnet is also preferably provided with a central aperture 18 to provide a continuous passage through the holder.

The cup 19 may be made in any suitable manner, preferably from a single blank of material, and in this instance is provided with a downwardly angled circumferential margin 20 at the mouth end. The apex of the cup is relatively sharp, and the apical portion is provided with magnetic means 21, which may be accomplished in the manner above described. Here, the holder is utilized in the same mlanner as above described in connection with Figs. 1, 2 and 3, and the sundae dish is also picked up magnetically.. In the past, a holder for a sundae dish was usually of different construction and equipped with different pickup means than a holder for a drinking or soda cup, but that is not essential when the present invention is utilized.

In order to still further illustrate the versatility of the instant invention, in Figs. 7 and 8, I have illustrated a holder to accommodate a fiat bottomed paper cup or dish. In this instance, the holder includes a body portion 22, having a cup receiving cavity 23 therein with a flat bottom portion as indicated at 24. The holder has a throat 25, and a hollow base, of the same character as those above described, and which is not illustrated. The transverse portion of the holder defining the cavity bottom 24 is provided with an aperture 26, which is enlarged at the top thereof as indicated at 27. Mounted in that aperture is a magnet 28 having an aperture 29 therethrough, and provided with an enlarged head 30 to seat in the enlarged bore 27. The upper face of the head 30 is flush with the cavity bottom 24, the same as the upper recessed face 17 of the magnet 16 is flush with the cavity wall 15 in the showing in Fig. 4.

In the present instance, however, a flat bottomed cup 31 is utilized, and carries magnetic means 32 on the eX- ternal face of its flat bottom. These magnetic means may be of the same character as above described, and may be in the form of a patch or disk of a desired size, it not being essential that the magnetic means extend over the entire bottom surface of the cup, as illustrated. This holder functions in the same manner as those above described when put to use.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a holder for a paper cup, a tubular body part having a passage therethrough and having a cavity therein to receive a paper cup, and a magnet mounted in said holder and having a portion thereof fronting into said cavity to attract magnetic material on a received cup.

2. In a holder for a paper cup, a tubular body part having a passage therethrough and having a cavity therein to receive a paper cup, and a magnet mounted in said holder and having a portion thereof fronting into said cavity to attract magnetic material on a received cup, said portion being shaped in conformity with the part of the cup carrying the magnetic material.

3. In a holder for a conical paper cup, a hollow body part having a cavity therein to receive a conical paper cup apex first, and a magnet in said holder having an uncovered portion shaped to directly receive the apical end of a cup carrying magnetic material on its apical portion.

4. In a holder for a conical paper cup, a hollow body part having a cavity therein to receive a conical paper cup apex first, and a permanent magnet mounted in said holder adjacent the bottom of said cavity with an uncovered end recessed to receive the apical part of a cup carrying magnetic material thereon.

5. In a holder for a conical paper cup, a hollow body part having a cavity therein to receive a conical paper cup apex first, and a magnet in said holder having a recessed end portion forming the apical end of said cavity to attract magnetic means carried by a cup.

6. A holder for a paper cup comprising a hollow body part having a cavity therein to receive a paper cup, a base part, and a throat portion between the body and base parts, and a magnet in said throat portion having an end thereof forming at least a part of the lower end of said cavity to attract magnetic means carried by a cup.

7. A holder for a paper cup comprising a hollow body part having a cavity therein to receive a paper cup, a hollow base part, and a throat portion between the body and base parts, a magnet in said throat portion having an end thereof forming at least a part of the lower end of said cavity to attract magnetic means carried by a cup, and said magnet having an aperture therethrough to provide a connecting passage between the cavity and the hollow of the base when the holder is empty.

8. A holder for a paper cup comprising a hollow body part having a cavity therein to receive a paper cup, a base part, and a throat portion between the body and base parts, the throat portion of said holder having a straight walled recess therein opening from said cavity, and a generally cylindrical magnet secured in said recess to attract magnetic material carried by a cup.

9. A holder for a flat bottom paper cup, said cup having a tapering side Wall and carrying magnetizable means on the bottom thereof, said holder including a hollow body part having a rim and an inwardly and downwardly tapering side wall conforming to the side wall of a cup and defining therein a cavity to receive the flat bottom paper cup, and a permanent magnet embedded in said holder with a face of said magnet flush with an inner surface of the body part which defines a part of the cavity contiguous to the magnetizable means on the cup when the cup is seated in the holder to hold the cup in the holder against accidental dislodgment.

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